What's your preferred method of linking amps?

bj · March 17th, 2003, 05:50 PM

:? I'm not too sure about the best way. Is an A/B box better than a line from one amp to the next? What should I be careful about? The amps I'll be using are both old 30/35 watt valve(tube) ones. Thanks in advance!

Tele295 · March 17th, 2003, 06:23 PM

I'd go with an A-B-Y box or a stereo effect (it doesn't have to be turned on). Channel jumping seems to load down the input of amp #1. Just my $.02

the Dharma Bum · March 17th, 2003, 09:31 PM

I've recently been using a two amp setup for gigs and using the stereo (2 lines out) on my chorus pedal to send two lines out. It doesn't allow for amp switching, but I use two amps because my Reverend Hellhound is a bit trebly and I use and 65 DRI because I like its tremolo and it has a bit more bottom. Kind of like me these days...A little rounder.

Jay Jordan · March 17th, 2003, 10:12 PM

a delay or chorus pedal is the easiest way to power the second amp, and if you set it up right, you get a really full sound when you kick the effect on

Kingtone · March 19th, 2003, 08:04 PM

I like using an ABY box, seems to work best for me...

Mik · March 20th, 2003, 09:40 AM

I use all 3 methods: stereo chorus unit, ABY box and jumper (not all at the same time!).

with my 2 tweed Deluxes I prefer a short jumper. I haven't noticed any loading on an amp, or experienced an unacceptable level of noise, or tone degradation. (caveat: we hear what we want to hear!) ABY and stereo pedals require more and longer cables that will degrade tone.

Clean boost helps to maintain or thicken tone in multi amp set ups too, I think.

From time to time I enjoy the benefits of any of these 3 methods, so try em all-they're all fun.

Mik

davidmenke · March 21st, 2003, 05:04 PM

My vote is a/b box I have a Morley. appx $50 new...
I can use a or b or both which I like. Also works good on a 2 channel fender amp... after the signal splits ... you can also put in effects in that line and have the other line clean... just a thought..

Tim Bowen · March 21st, 2003, 09:09 PM

When I play two amps, it's always in tandem, I don't switch between 'em. So a delay or chorus with two outs is handy. The problem with this, or with garden variety A/B boxes such as Morley or Whirlwind, is that they don't have isolated transformers, and can introduce ground loop hum. Not a problem if flipping the switch on back of the amp or lifting the ground with an adapter does the trick, but a better fix seems to be disconnecting the ground on one of the guitar cables, on the jack that's plugged into one of the amps. High end switchers such as Lehle eliminate all problems associated with running multiple amps, but fetch big bucks.

March 17th, 2003, 05:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
bj Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Camden NSW Australia Posts: 122	What's your preferred method of linking amps? :? I'm not too sure about the best way. Is an A/B box better than a line from one amp to the next? What should I be careful about? The amps I'll be using are both old 30/35 watt valve(tube) ones. Thanks in advance!

March 17th, 2003, 09:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
the Dharma Bum NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 8	Stereo Chorus Pedal has 2 lines out I've recently been using a two amp setup for gigs and using the stereo (2 lines out) on my chorus pedal to send two lines out. It doesn't allow for amp switching, but I use two amps because my Reverend Hellhound is a bit trebly and I use and 65 DRI because I like its tremolo and it has a bit more bottom. Kind of like me these days...A little rounder.

March 17th, 2003, 10:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jay Jordan TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 70	stereo effect a delay or chorus pedal is the easiest way to power the second amp, and if you set it up right, you get a really full sound when you kick the effect on

March 19th, 2003, 08:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kingtone Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Camillus, NY Age: 49 Posts: 538 5 Photos	Linking Amps I like using an ABY box, seems to work best for me...

March 20th, 2003, 09:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mik Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,414	Mik I use all 3 methods: stereo chorus unit, ABY box and jumper (not all at the same time!). with my 2 tweed Deluxes I prefer a short jumper. I haven't noticed any loading on an amp, or experienced an unacceptable level of noise, or tone degradation. (caveat: we hear what we want to hear!) ABY and stereo pedals require more and longer cables that will degrade tone. Clean boost helps to maintain or thicken tone in multi amp set ups too, I think. From time to time I enjoy the benefits of any of these 3 methods, so try em all-they're all fun. Mik __________________ a "motor-bike with a touch of blood in it is better than all the riding animals on earth, because of its logical extension of our faculties, and the hint, the provocations, to excess."-T.E. Lawrence

March 17th, 2003, 06:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tiger Town Posts: 3,153 14 Photos	I'd go with an A-B-Y box or a stereo effect (it doesn't have to be turned on). Channel jumping seems to load down the input of amp #1. Just my $.02

March 21st, 2003, 05:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
davidmenke Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 232	My vote is a/b box I have a Morley. appx $50 new... I can use a or b or both which I like. Also works good on a 2 channel fender amp... after the signal splits ... you can also put in effects in that line and have the other line clean... just a thought.. __________________ David Menke davidmenke@comcast.net

March 21st, 2003, 09:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 47 Posts: 3,054	When I play two amps, it's always in tandem, I don't switch between 'em. So a delay or chorus with two outs is handy. The problem with this, or with garden variety A/B boxes such as Morley or Whirlwind, is that they don't have isolated transformers, and can introduce ground loop hum. Not a problem if flipping the switch on back of the amp or lifting the ground with an adapter does the trick, but a better fix seems to be disconnecting the ground on one of the guitar cables, on the jack that's plugged into one of the amps. High end switchers such as Lehle eliminate all problems associated with running multiple amps, but fetch big bucks.